Everton outcast James Rodriguez close to joining unnamed Qatari club to end nightmare spell

James Rodriguez is on the brink of ending his stay at Everton after travelling to the UAE for talks with Qatari side Al Rayyan.

Everton boss Rafa Benitez had made it clear Rodriguez had to improve to be a fixture in his team but the Colombian is prepared to pursue another challenge.

The 30-year-old’s huge £220,000-a-week wages make him the highest paid player in Everton’s history and restricted the club’s movement in the summer transfer window, with Financial Fair Play constraints a factor.

Everton outcast James Rodriguez is close to completing a move to Qatar

James flew from Manchester on Sunday evening and Everton are hopeful a deal can be concluded. The Qatari transfer window is open until September 30. 

Rodriguez arrived at Goodison Park 12 months ago from Real Madrid to link up with former Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti, with the signing creating great excitement amongst Toffees supporters.

A great start to life at Everton saw the Colombian score three goals and register three assists in his first six Premier League games, but his debut campaign in England was ruined from then on by calf injuries and inconsistent form.

Benitez replaced Ancelotti, who returned to former club Real, earlier this summer and the Spanish coach gave Rodriguez a chance to prove his worth in pre-season.

The Colombian (right) is out of favour at Goodison Park and has not featured yet this season

Despite some appearances, the midfielder was informed by Benitez that he was no longer required on Merseyside and has been searching for a new club since the start of the Premier League season.

Benitez refused to call up Rodriguez to Saturday’s 3-0 defeat away at Aston Villa, even though the Everton boss only named eight substitutes instead of the nine allowed in a matchday squad, with the Toffees currently in an injury crisis.

Rafa Benitez informed James at the start of the campaign that he is not in his plans

Sportsmail revealed last month that the 30-year-old was offered in a swap deal with FC Porto’s winger Luis Diaz, but a move for either Colombian player failed to go through.

Rodriguez’s overall Everton record saw him score six goals in 26 matches, registering nine assists in his only season at Goodison Park.   

Everton face QPR in the Carabao Cup third round and Benitez admits picking a strong side is a challenge due to the injuries his squad is juggling.

He said: ‘You can replace players in some positions but in some of them we are short and it is a big risk if you lose one of the players you cannot replace. 

‘But you have to put out a strong team to compete and win.’